5 What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is paying attention…On purpose,And without judgmentWe can be mindful of our senses, and of our inner world of thoughts and emotions.It helps us to respond, not react.It is simple. But it is not often easy.

6 Have you ever…? said something you later regretted?been so nervous for a presentation or an event that you couldn’t sleep the night before?walked into a room to get something, and then forgot what you were looking for?been really sad or upset but you didn’t know exactly why?been so engrossed in a novel or a sewing project or a golf game or some other hobby that everything else fell away and that activity commanded your full focus and attention?

7 What is Mindfulness?“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”Victor Frankl

17 What Mindfulness is NOT“Thinking about nothing.”It’s being aware of our thoughts.

18 What Mindfulness is NOTBeing happy ALL THE TIME and loving EVERY SINGLE MINUTE of life.It’s bringing non- judgmental awareness to the present moment.

19 What Mindfulness is NOTReligious.It can be a secular practice.It is mental training.It is supported by clinical research.It is integrated into many workplaces, including Google, General Mills, and the Huffington Post

20 What Mindfulness is NOTLong periods of passive sitting and navel- gazing.It can be active!Yoga, walking, daily routines…

21 What Mindfulness is NOTLiving only in the present. Never thinking about the past or planning for the future.It is awareness and deliberate attention – even on the act of planning...“Is this useful?”

22 What Mindfulness is NOTRelaxation.It might be relaxing. It might be boring and annoying. It’s being with WHAT IS.

23 What Mindfulness is NOTZoning out.It’s zoning IN. It is purposeful awareness.

24 What Mindfulness is NOTA form of classroom discipline.It is about teaching children to be with ALL aspects of their experience.It often does create a quiet, focused classroom, but it is not intended to be used to get kids to pay attention for hours on end!

25 The Benefits of Mindfulness – For TeachersImproves focus and awarenessIncreases responsiveness to student needs and enhances classroom climatePromotes emotional balance and stress managementSupports healthy relationships – at work and at homeStudies show practicing mindfulness not only improves teachers’ mental well-being, but makes them more effective in the classroom

26 The Benefits of Mindfulness – For StudentsImproved attention, focus, and concentrationAttentional stability is key to learning!Reduced stress (ability to calm down when upset)Gives youth a “nervous system toolkit”Increased self-awareness (ability to recognize emotions)Improved impulse controlIncreased empathy (for self and others)Can be especially helpful for ADHD students

27 Mindfulness in Medical, Clinical, & Educational Settings -- OverviewJon Kabat-Zinn and the University of Massachusetts Medical CenterLate 1970s – Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)Mindfulness training had a positive impact on chronic pain, stress, and overall well-being, memory, immune response, self-control, attention, recovery from addiction, and emotional resilienceMBSR is now offered at over 700 hospitals, clinics, and universities worldwide – in virtually every major US metro area!

29 Mindfulness in Medical, Clinical, & Educational Settings -- OverviewSporadic school-based programming by educators with a background in MBSR – late 1980sSocial-emotional learning (SEL) programs often include material on attentional control and self- regulationCurrently in the process of validating results of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) with childrenEarly 2000s – teaching mindfulness to teachers as a self-care and wellness tool

30 Current State of ResearchIn 1983, there were only three peer- reviewed scientific studies of meditation.By 2013, there were more than 1300!Studies now coming out at the rate of 40 a month!

36 Mindfulness for Teachers: Research2013 study by the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-MadisonRandomized, controlled study found that teachers who participated in a modified MBSR program experienced:Reduction in burnout and symptoms of psychological distressImprovement in classroom organization and increased effective teaching behaviorsIncreased self-compassionReduction in attentional biases

40 Mindful TeachingWhat is the condition of a teacher’s nervous system when in the classroom?Are they present, attuned, and empathic?Or are they burnt out, fatigued, anxious, or in some kind of stress response?

44 Teaching Mindfulness: The Two Most Important Things!Teaching mindfulness is always grounded in personal practice (authenticity)The mindfulness instructor makes the lessons their own (this will come out of the first one!)

45 Teaching MindfulnessMindfulness is an invitation. Allow students to opt out.Mindfulness is not classroom management, and should not be used as a punishment.It’s not about making the classroom calm and quiet, though that may happen…Teachers should be aware of practices that may be difficult for students with a history of trauma, and know of available resources

46 Teaching Mindfulness: Share the purpose with kidsMindfulness is teaching a set of life skills – an “owner’s manual for the brain”A set of experiments; a maintenance manualHow mindfulness can help them (attention, self- regulation)We’re checking in with our internal and external experience – becoming aware of the activity of the mind, and how we interact with the environment.We’re learning how to meet our everyday experiences.We’re learning how to “be with” an experience, how to respond instead of reacting

47 Teaching MindfulnessDirect instruction of lessons (15+ minute modules), plus mindful moments integrated through the day or weekWhere does mindfulness fit as a foundational support of what we already do? (SEL programs, anti-bullying programs, conflict-resolution skills, etc.)Classroom routines:Moment of mindfulness (start, middle, end of period)“Notice how you’re feeling right now.”“Where is your attention right now?”Movement exercises

50 To Learn More…Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn Search Inside Yourself by Chade-Meng Tan Finding the Space to Lead by Janice Marturano The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living 10% Happier by Dan Harris A Mindful Nation by Congressman Tim Ryan Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Mark Penman and Danny Williams

51 To Learn More…Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness by Deborah Schoeberlein David and Suki ShethThe Way of Mindful Education by Daniel RechtschaffenThe Mindful Brain by Dan Siegel